The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-24

This accusation of completely with the fed
erals was very serious at that time. and
hence the thrill of excitement that ran through
the audience. It was. however. still vague,
| and had % be proved.
| " on pretend that I correspond with the en-
emy7
Prove it. I should like you to-"
VERY WELL said Texar About three weeks
eral army, rather the f1otilla of Commodore
Dupont. The man came TO Candles Bay. and
he was followed from the time he left the plan
tation till he recrossed the frontier Do you
deny that2"
Evidently this was the messenger who had
brought the young lieutenants letter. Texars
spies had not been deceived. This time the
charge was definite. and Burbank's reply was
anxiously waited for.
He did not hesitate to tell them what was only
the truth.
Yes" said he. "a man did come about that
time to Candles Bay. but the man was only
messenger He did not belong to the federal
army. and he simply brought letter from my
son.
From your son." interrupted Texar; 'from
your son. who, if we correctly informed. is
In the Unionst service. who is perhaps IN the
van OF the invaders now on the march to Flor
ida"
The vehemence with which Texar pronounced
the words made strong impression on tie peo-
pie IN the court. II James Burbank. after ad-
uniting that he had received letter from his
son, admitted that Gilbert was in the federal
army, how could he get over the charge of being
Southa
VIII YOU reply to the evidence against your
sonW asked the magistrate
Ne sir replied Burbank, II have nothing
to say in the matter. There is no charge against
my son that / know Of / alone accused of
holding communication with the federal army.
and deny it, and defy this man who attacks
me on account of his own personal hatred to-
wards to bring forward a single proof"
HE admits, then that his son is now fighting
against the confederates" exclaimed Texar.
II admit nothing said Burbank. lit ia for
C0Jrf tn he charge bring
GOOD. | will prove it. replied Texar. I'm
few days l shall be in possession OF the proof
you ask. and when have it
when you have it," replied the magistrate.
1--WE can take it into consideration. Until then,
l do not what charges Mr.. Burbank has to
answer" u
In deciding in this way the magistrate acted
like all honest man. He was right, undoubtedly;
unfortunately he was wrong to be right with a
public so preiudiced against the planter of Camd
less Bay. And then followed an ominous muir
murins, and even protesting. on the part or lex
airs companions. The Spaniard saw how things
were going, and abandoning the charges against
Gilbert Burbank returned to those against his
father.
advanced with regard to James Burbank's being
in communication with the enemy preparing to
invade Florida. Meanwhile, the opinions he
publicly professes-opinions so dangerous for
the cause of slavery-constitute a puolic danger;
and in the of all the shareholders who
will not submit to the yoke or the North,
demand that he be secured"
Yes, yesm exclaimed the par.isans OF Texar,
while some of the audience endeavored in vain
to protest against the unjustfable proposal
The MAGISTRATE succeeded IN quoting tho as
sembly. and then Burbank replied:
II shall do all that my strength and my
rights allow me to oppose such tyranny: am
an apolitionist. And have already told You so.
Bnt opinion is free, | supposs, in system of
government founded on freedom. Up to now it
has not been crime to be an antl-s!avery man,
and | not a criminal tno Ia" 10 Po"o1iess
to punish"
Renewed shouts Of approval seemed to show
that Burbank was getting the best OF 1t. Iexar
saw that the time had come TO change MS bat
teries We need not, therefore, be surprised
when he hurled at Burbank. the following
expected challenge
We'll if you don't oelieVe ID slavery, why 40
you no. free your own slavesF
Il will do So" answered James Burbank, 81
will 10 80 as soon as the time comes"
Indeed That means you VIII do so when
the federal army is In possession OF Florida.
You want Sherman's soldiers and Dupont's sail
to give you courage to act up 20 your IDEAS +!
That is prudent, but it IS cowardly
.'Cowardly y exclaimed Burbank, Indignantly,
and not seeing the snare spread for him
Yes cowardly,' said TeXar. ~ on dare not
nut vour IDEAS into practice! You only want TO
curry popularity with the Northerners You
are an aboiitionist only for appearance sake; at
heart YOU arc n slavery man.
James Burbank drew himself up. He gave
his opponent a long look of scorn. Such n.y.
pocrisy was manifestly absurdly out of keeping
with his frank loyal existence. In clear, de-
cided tone, that could be heard by all, he said:
Inhabitants of Jacksonville, from this day
forth | shall not keep slave his worry Jay L
proclaim the abolition OF slavery over the whole
plantation of Candies Bay.
At first this bold declaration was greeted with
cheers. 1t had required true courage to DO such
a thing-courage moro than prudence perhaps.
Burbank had allowed his indignation to get the
better of him.
It was evident that his action would compro-
mise the interests of other Florida plan tiers, and
and at once reaction took place in the court
The applause was sienced by the vociferatons
not only of those who shareholders on prin-
h-to r FL axEhn n
ferent the slavery question
And Texar's friends would have profted by |
this reaction to commit some act OF violence on |
James Burbank if the Spaniard himself had not |
restrained them.
Leave him alone" said he. Burbank has |
disarmed himself. Now he is ours"
His meaning was Immediately understood |
and his partisans refrained from any act of vio-
lence He felt no mlsglvlngs when the |
magistrates told Burbank he might go-there |
was no proof to warrant his Incarceration If |
the Spaniard could make good his words later |
on, and produce witnesses 10 snow tnat Bur
bank was in communication with the enemy,
the magistrates could take action. Until then |
Burbank was free.
alive to Candies Bay WAS made publicly. and
might eventually serve as a pretense on tho part
of the mob for proceedings against the authori-
ties of the town
a dlsorderly crowd very evilly disposed toward
him, but the police kept Thorn from assaulting
him. There shouts and threats, but
acts of violence. Evidently TeXsrS influence
him.
He reached the quay, where his boat was wait
ing. There he took leave of his friend Dir. Har-
vev: and then. pushing off. he was soon out of
range of the vociferations with which the rabble
Of Jacksonville saluted him he left them.
As the tide going down, the boat took at
least two hours TO get across to Candles Bay,
where the family waiting for him. Great
was their Joy when they him coming back.
Many reasons had they had for fearing he would
be kept away from them.
mo-" said he to little Dy, as he kissed her; "I
promised TO come home to dinner. my dear, and
you know never break my promises"
To BE CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY.
SoIdier,g CInar Grit.